Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Jerome gritted his teeth and accepted the inevitable conclusion that he had to behave. He gave her one last longing look before forcing himself to let go of her and take a step back. Anna immediately crossed her arms in front of her body in a careful posture. The action pushed her breasts up and gave info@juveepharma.com eyes another delicious distraction. Damn, the woman was killing him.

He sat on the back of the divan, which served a dual purpose. He pulled Anna out of his reach and brought them both closer to eye level so he wouldn't tower over her. The goal was trust, not intimidation.

Their gazes met, quiet tension filled the air. She was angry and probably embarrassed, although he doubted she would admit that part. "I think you should know," he said, trying to find a way to a truce, "no one knew I followed you, nor do t"How long have you been following me exactly?" She asked, her boot tapping the ground slowly, telling both of her agitation as much the steely look in her beautiful eyes.

Inwardly he winced before answering. "Two days." He pushed aside how much he'd enjoyed watching her for those two days, how many ways he'd dreamed of sleeping with her. He didn't think it would help his situation at all.

She made a frustrated noise; Her hands fell to her sides, perfectly manicured hands with pink nails curling around her palms. "Two days." The words were flat, her cheeks flushed. Her gaze dropped as she murmured, "Two days and I never suspected anything.It wasn't a question. It was more of a statement of disbelief to herself. Her chin lifted and her eyes bored into his reproachfully. "Do you expect me to believe that the FBI made you disappear for two days without knowing where you were in?

“ I wasn’t supposed to pull out of Pedro’s operation until the last minute .It left me less risk of exposure. But three years of my life was at stake, and I know how easily Pedro corrupts people. I didn't care what was in your file. I had to get an idea of who you are. Pedro will find someone in the middle to corrupt him, I promise you, if he hasn't already."

"I know Pedro's type," she quickly stated. "Darling, you just think you know his type." Jerome had seen things—hell, he'd done things himself over the years—that would bring grown men to their knees. "The murder is worthy of a popcorn and a soda for Pedro. As far as corrupting someone in this case, they will do anything to get out of this cell.They even threaten the lives of their families.” His voice softened. "I turned to you that night to survive. What happened next was pure chemistry.”

Her lips thinned.He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again. "I need my briefcase out of the car. There are questions... A faint noise in the ceiling made her eyes wander upwards and Jerome stood up. "You heard that too, didn't you?" she asked, worry etching on her beautiful face.

He had heard correctly. So his hand now rested at his side, ready to draw his Glock. "It's most likely the wind," he said, but it wasn't. Having grown up here, he knew every sound, every nuance.

There was a double knock on the front door, a code for his men before they entered.A constable named Arnold entered, his massive body tense, his expression grim. Jerome cursed under his breath, knowing the news was bad even before it was spoken. "We have company," Arnold said, confirming Jerome's guess.

"What does that mean?" asked Anna.Jerome drew his pistol from his shoulder holster and ignored the question, concentrating on getting the facts. "How many?"

"I wish I knew," Arnold said, no longer hiding his gun. It was in his hand, ready to use. “We have movement on the roof.Two were seen walking up the west side of the property. We'll probably have to identify more.”

“Oh my God,” Anna whispered. "I did everything Agent Jack told me to do."

And Jack had followed her to make sure she was not pursued.Someone had betrayed him, not that Jerome found that surprising. So he had an escape plan drawn up. And even that he only partially shared with Agent Jack, whom he trusted as much as anyone else. The truth was, he didn't trust anyone completely. After all, he hadn't seen her in three years.If he took her into the forest, he could take her to safety.

He turned to Anna and put his hands on her shoulders; he fixed her in a steady stare. “How they found us doesn't matter. What matters is our safety. And as you can see, I'm not taking any chances.I plan ahead. I can get us out of here.

She seemed to weigh his words, then said, "I know how to shoot a gun."

"Why am I not surprised?" he said, thinking there wasn't much to this woman.He bent down, pulled a Wesson 35 flashlight from a holster around his ankle, and handed it to her. "Six bullets, one in the chamber. I see?” She nodded. "Yes.I got it. I wish I didn't have to, but I do."

Jerome wanted the same, but had to admire her courage. No tears for this one.

He turned to Arnold and said, "Cover the east side of the hut so that we make it to the forest.He grabbed Anna's hand and pulled her to the kitchen window.

"What if they're right outside?" asked Anna as she opened the glass

"Arnold and his men will cover for us," he assured her.

"The same ones who made sure nobody found us?"

He Climbed onto the counter. She was right, but he didn't say that. "I'm going first to make sure it's safe.His fingers brushed her cheek. "Don't worry. Nobody knows these woods like I do. I grew up here. He dropped his hand.“And I endured bullshit from Pedro for three years. I have no intention of any of us dying before we inflict pain on this pathetic bastard. Then he lowered his voice, his words full of promise. "Trust me."

On the run the same man who had betrayed her the week before now held her hand and led her across the desert, her lifeline from those pursuing her.And they were on the run. For hours it seemed. They ran and ran some more.

Long ago Jerome had broken the heels of his boots, but not before painful blisters formed on her toes. Still, she didn't complain.They were near a couple of Pedro's men near the cabin, barely out of sight. That was enough to make Anna thankful to be alive.F*ck blisters. At the moment she had only one thing on her mind and that was to stay alive.

Jerome stopped abruptly and forced her to duck behind a bush. Anna obeyed, struggling to catch her breath as the air was thick and difficult to breathe.Her hair was sticky and uncomfortable at the nape of her neck. There was no wind, so the heat was a suffocating wall of discomfort. Thunder rumbled in the distance, warning of rain, and in that moment she was grateful for the relief it would bring. With a silent look, Jerome told her his intentions: He would peer ahead, as he had several times before. She barely lowered her head and he was gone, moving with a quiet, stealthy agility a man of his size should not possess.But then he stayed alive in Pedro's gang. Surely that must have required some fancy footwork. Living this life for three years was a long time. It shouldn't surprise her that he had an alternative plan, a hiding place nobody knew about. She imagined in

that those three years had made him inventive.

Alone now behind the bushes, she scanned the darkness, searching for trouble, her ears alert for any sound that might indicate danger. Anna caught her breath in surprise when Jerome was suddenly behind her, without an audible warning of his approach. Every time he touched her, awareness teased her nerve endings, taunting her with her inability to control its presence. She turned to face him, her thigh aligned with his, pressed tightly against him. Their eyes met, the

connection hit them with the force of lightning, attraction sparkling around them despite the danger they faced.But there was more than attraction that drew Anna to Jerome right now. Crazy as he was, this stranger, a man who had lied to her just a week ago, was offering her the comfort and reassurance she sorely needed now. "Not much further," he murmured, his voice a low whisper.

"Shouldn't we call someone?" she asked, matching his deep tone and wishing she hadn't left her cell phone in the cabin."Not necessary. An appointment is made with Jack if i gets into trouble. A time and place not too far from here. We just have to stay underground and safe until then. Also, we don't know who to trust and all calls could be monitored.”

“If I don't show up tomorrow, they can do something crazy to delay the process. I know you don't want this.

"What I want is to stay alive." He stood and stared at her while holding out her hand.

Anna took a moment to stare at the foreboding but oh so sexy man before placing her palm in his.His cheeks were chiseled, his jaw strong, there was something alert and lonely about those dark eyes. He was a stranger who had snuck past her guard in many ways, an undercover agent brimming with danger and sex, unaware of his sordid past. But in just a week she had placed her life and libido in his hands.

hands that she hoped were as skilled at surviving in the wilderness as they were at giving pleasure.